Embedding low-k materials in antennas

ABSTRACT

A device includes a patch antenna, which includes a feeding line, and a ground panel over the feeding line. The ground panel has an aperture therein. A low-k dielectric module is over and aligned to the aperture. A patch is over the low-k dielectric module.

PRIORITY CLAIM AND CROSS-REFERENCE

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/691,250, entitled “Embedding Low-K Materials in Antennas,” filed onNov. 30, 2012, which application is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Built-in antennas are widely used in mobile applications such as cellphones. Conventionally, antennas were formed using Low-TemperatureCo-Fired Ceramic (LTCC), wherein a plurality of LTCC layers is used toseparate a feeding line, a ground panel, and a patch of an antenna. Thecharacteristics of the antenna are related to the thickness of the LTCClayers. To increase the usable bandwidth of the antenna, the number ofLTCC layers needs to be increased. This posts a problem forhigh-frequency applications. Due to the increased number of LTCC layers,the total thickness of the antenna is increased, and hence the thicknessof the resulting application is increased.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the embodiments, and the advantagesthereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1 through 12 are cross-sectional views of intermediate stages inthe manufacturing of a patch antenna with embedded low-k dielectricmaterial in accordance with some exemplary embodiments;

FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate a cross-sectional view and a top view,respectively, of a portion of the patch antennal formed using theprocess steps in FIGS. 1 through 12;

FIGS. 15A and 15B illustrate a cross-sectional view and a top view,respectively, of a patch antennal in accordance with alternativeembodiments, wherein a feeding line and a ground panel are at a samelevel; and

FIGS. 16A and 16B illustrate a cross-sectional view and a top view,respectively, of a patch antennal in accordance with yet alternativeembodiments, wherein a feeding line is between a low-k dielectric moduleand a ground panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

The making and using of the embodiments of the disclosure are discussedin detail below. It should be appreciated, however, that the embodimentsprovide many applicable concepts that can be embodied in a wide varietyof specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed areillustrative, and do not limit the scope of the disclosure.

A package including an antenna comprising low-k dielectric materialtherein and the methods of forming the same are provided in accordancewith various exemplary embodiments. The intermediate stages of formingthe package are illustrated. The variations of the embodiments arediscussed. Throughout the various views and illustrative embodiments,like reference numbers are used to designate like elements.

FIGS. 1 through 12 are cross-sectional views of intermediate stages inthe manufacturing of a package comprising a built-in patch antenna inaccordance with some exemplary embodiments. FIG. 1 illustrates carrier20 and adhesive layer 22 formed thereon. Carrier 20 may be a glasscarrier, a ceramic carrier, or the like. Adhesive layer 22 may be formedof an adhesive such as Ultra-Violet (UV) glue. Device die 24 is disposedover carrier 20, for example, secured on carrier 20 through adhesivelayer 22. Device die 24 may be a logic device die including logictransistors therein. In some exemplary embodiments, device die 24 isdesigned for mobile applications. Although a single die 24 isillustrated, more dies may be placed over carrier 20 and level with eachother.

In some embodiments, low-k dielectric modules 28 are pre-formed, and arethen placed on adhesive layer 22. Low-k dielectric modules 28 includes alow-k dielectric material, which has a dielectric constant (k value)lower than about 3.8, lower than about 3.0, lower than about 2.5, lowerthan about 2.0, or lower than about 1.5. The thickness of low-kdielectric modules 28 may be equal to, or slightly greater than, thethickness of device die 24. The material of low-k dielectric modules 28may include, and is not limited to, expended polystyrene foam, (with ageneric name of Styrofoam, a registered trademark of The Dow ChemicalCompany), Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE, known as Teflon, a registeredtrademark of DuPont Corporation), polymethyl methacrylate (also known asLucite, a registered trademark of Lucite International Inc.), Ebonite,or porous materials with air voids (also known as pores) therein.Styrofoam may have a k value equal to about 1.03. Teflon may have a kvalue equal to about 2.1. Lucite may have a k value equal to about 2.5.Ebonite may have a k value equal to about 2.7. The bottom surfaces oflow-k dielectric modules 28 are substantially level with the bottomsurface of device die 24. Low-k dielectric modules 28 may besingle-layer modules with a uniform composition, or include a pluralityof layers formed of different materials. The top-view shapes of low-kdielectric modules 28 include rectangular shape, hexagon, circularshape, or any other shapes. In some embodiments, in the top view of thestructure in FIG. 1, a plurality of low-k dielectric modules 28 areallocated as an array. The number of low-k dielectric modules 28 may begreater than 2, 4, 6, or any other number.

In some exemplary embodiments, electrical connectors 26 (such as copperposts or metal pads) are formed as the top portions of device die 24,and are electrically coupled to the devices (not shown) in device die24. In some embodiments, electrical connectors 26 protrude out of thetop surface of surrounding dielectric material. In alternativeembodiments, electrical connectors 26 are level with the top surface ofsurrounding dielectric material.

Referring to FIG. 2, molding material 30 is molded on device die 24 andlow-k dielectric modules 28. Molding material 30 fills the gaps betweendevice die 24 and low-k dielectric modules 28, and may be in contactwith adhesive layer 22. Furthermore, molding material 30 may compriseportions over device die 24 and low-k dielectric modules 28. Moldingmaterial 30 may include a molding compound, a molding underfill, anepoxy, or a resin. The k value of molding material 30 may be greaterthan about 3.5, greater than about 5.5, or greater than about 7.5.Furthermore, the k value of molding material 30 is greater than the kvalue of low-k dielectric modules 28. For example, a difference betweenthe k value of molding material 30 and the k value of low-k dielectricmodules 28 may be greater than about 0.5, greater than about 1.0, orgreater than about 2.0. The top surface of molding material 30 is higherthan the top ends of electrical connectors 26 and low-k dielectricmodules 28. In alternative embodiments in which electrical connectors 26are protruding features, molding material 30 may also fill the gapsbetween electrical connectors 26.

Next, a thinning step, which may include a grinding step, is performedto thin molding material 30. Due to the step of thinning, the topsurfaces 28A of low-k dielectric modules 28 may be substantially levelwith top surface 30A of molding material 30. In a subsequent step, asshown I FIG. 3, an etching step is performed to form openings 32 inmolding material 30, through which electrical connectors 26 of devicedies 24 are exposed.

Next, referring to FIG. 4, metal bumps 34 are formed in openings 32, forexample, through plating. Metal bumps 34 may include copper, aluminum,tungsten, and/or the like. In alternative embodiments in whichelectrical connectors 26 are protruding features, after the molding ofmolding material 30 and the thinning of molding material 30, electricalconnectors 26 are exposed, and are level with the top surface of thethinned molding material 30. Accordingly, in these embodiments, theetching of molding material 30 to form openings 32 (FIG. 3) and theplating to form metal bumps 34 may be skipped.

Next, referring to FIG. 5, Redistribution Lines (RDLs) 42 and groundpanels 44 are formed over molding material 30, and are connected toelectrical connectors 26. In some embodiments, RDLs 42 are formed bydepositing a metal layer, and patterning the metal layer. In alternativeembodiments, RDLs 42 and ground panels 44 are formed using damasceneprocesses. RDLs 42 and ground panels 44 may comprise a metal or a metalalloy including aluminum, copper, tungsten, and/or alloys thereof.Ground panels 44 overlap low-k dielectric modules 28, and may havetop-view sizes greater than, equal to, or smaller than, the top-viewsizes of low-k dielectric modules 28. Ground panels 44 are electricallygrounded in the resulting package. Ground panels 44 may also beelectrically coupled to device die 24 through RDLs 42. Each of groundpanels 44 may include aperture 45, which is aligned to the underlyinglow-k dielectric module 28.

Referring to FIG. 6, dielectric layer 46 is formed over, and filling thegaps between, RDLs 42 and ground panels 44. In some embodiments,dielectric layer 46 is formed of a low-k dielectric material, which mayhave a dielectric constant lower than about 3.5, 3.0, 2.5, or 2.0.Dielectric layer 46 may also be formed of a polymer such apolybenzoxazole (PBO), polyimide, benzocyclobutene (BCB), or the like.

FIG. 7 illustrates the formation of RDLs 48 and feeding lines 50. RDLs48 and feeding lines 50 are formed of a conductive material, which maybe a metal or a metal alloy comprising aluminum, copper, tungsten,nickel, and or the like. The formation process may include patterningdielectric layer 46 to expose RDLs 42, and forming RDLs 48 and feedinglines 50, for example, through plating. Feeding lines 50 areelectrically coupled to device die 24, and hence may receive signalsfrom, or provide received signal to, device die 24. Next, as shown inFIG. 8, dielectric layer 52, which may include silicon oxide, siliconnitride, polyimide, PBO, and/or the like, is formed to cover RDLs 48 andfeeding lines 50. In a subsequent step, electrical connectors 54 (notshown in FIG. 7, refer to FIG. 13) may be formed to electrically coupleto RDLs 48, and possibly to ground panels 44 and/or feeding lines 50. Inaccordance with some exemplary embodiments. The formation of connectors54 may include placing solder balls on the exposed portions of RDLs 48,and then reflowing the solder balls. In alternative embodiments, theformation of connectors 54 includes performing a plating step to formsolder regions over RDLs 48, and then reflowing the solder regions.Connectors 54 may also include metal pillars, or metal pillars andsolder caps, which may be formed through plating. Throughout thedescription, the combined structure including device die 24, low-kdielectric modules 28, molding material 30, and the overlying RDLs 42and 48, ground panels 44, feeding lines 50, and dielectric layers 46 and52 are referred to as package 100, which may have a wafer form in thisstep.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, a carrier switch is performed. Carrier 20and the respective adhesive layer 22 in FIG. 8 are removed from package100, and the resulting structure is shown in FIG. 9. For example, whenadhesive layer 22 is formed of the UV glue, adhesive layer 22 may beexposed to UV light, so that adhesive layer 22 loses adhesion, and hencecarrier 20 and adhesive layer 22 can be removed from package 100. Next,as shown in FIG. 10, carrier 56 is attached to package 100, whereincarriers 20 and 56 attached to opposite sides of package 100. Carrier 56may be attached to package 100 through adhesive 58, which may be UVglue, a tape, or the like.

Referring to FIG. 11, after the carrier switch, low-k dielectric modules28, device die 24, and molding material 30 are exposed. In theillustrated structure, back surfaces 28B of low-k dielectric modules 28are level with back surface 24A of device die 24. Back surfaces 28B oflow-k dielectric modules 28 may also be substantially level with surface30B of molding material 30. Patches 60 are then formed on the backsideof package 100. Patches 60 is formed of a conductive material, which maybe a metal or a metal alloy comprising aluminum, copper, tungsten,nickel, or the like. The bottom surfaces of patches 60 may overlap low-kdielectric modules 28, and may contact back surfaces 28B of low-kdielectric modules 28. Patches 60 may also extend on, and contacting,molding material 30. The top-view sizes of patches 60 may be greaterthan, equal to, or smaller than, the top view sizes of the respectiveunderlying low-k dielectric modules 28.

FIG. 12 illustrates the formation of dielectric layer 62 for coveringpatches 60 and device die 24. Dielectric layer 62 may include siliconoxide, silicon nitride, polyimide, PBO, and/or the like. In subsequentsteps, carrier 56 and adhesive layer 58 are removed from package 100.The respective wafer may be sawed apart, and a plurality of packages 100is separated from each other.

FIG. 13 illustrates package 100, wherein electrical connectors 54 areschematically illustrated. Package 100 includes patch antennas 64, whichmay form an antenna array in accordance with some embodiments. Each ofpatch antennas 64 includes one of feeding lines 50, one of ground panels44, and one of patches 60. Low-k dielectric modules 28 are formed inmolding material 30, and the top surfaces of low-k dielectric modules 28may be level with the top surface of molding material 30, and may belevel with the back surface of device die 24. The bottom surfaces oflow-k dielectric modules 28 may be level with the bottom surfaces ofmolding material 30. Patch 60 and ground panel 44 of a same antenna 64are on opposite sides of, and may be in contact with, a same one oflow-k dielectric modules 28. Ground panel 44 includes aperture 45, whichis aligned to the respective low-k dielectric module 28.

FIG. 14 illustrates a bottom view of one of patch antennas 64. Aperture45 is in ground panel 44. Feeding line 50 crosses over aperture 45, andis spaced apart from ground panel 44. In the operation of antenna 64,ground panel 44 is electrically grounded. Device die 24 provides highfrequency (such as radio frequency) signals to feeding line 50, whichpasses the signals through aperture 45 to patch 60. Patch 60 then emitsthe signals. Alternatively, patch 60 receives the signals, and transmitsthe signals to feeding line 50, and to device die 24.

FIGS. 15A through 16B illustrate cross-sectional views and top views ofpatch antennas 64 in accordance with alternative embodiments. Unlessspecified otherwise, the materials and formation methods of thecomponents in these embodiments are essentially the same as the likecomponents, which are denoted by like reference numerals in theembodiments shown in FIGS. 1 through 14. The details regarding theformation process and the materials of the components shown in FIGS. 15Athrough 16B may thus be found in the discussion of the embodiments shownin FIGS. 1 through 14.

Referring to FIG. 15A, patch antenna 64 includes patch 60, low-kdielectric modules 28 under patch 60, and ground panel 44 and feedingline 50 underlying k dielectric modules 28. In some embodiments, groundpanel 44 and feeding line 50 are formed in a same layer of RDL, whichmay be essentially the same layer that is formed in FIG. 5, except thatthe metal patterns in accordance with these embodiments are differentfrom what are shown in FIG. 5. When the step as shown in FIG. 5 isperformed, ground panel 44 and feeding line 50 are formedsimultaneously.

FIG. 15B illustrates a top view of patch antenna 64 in FIG. 15A. Asshown in FIG. 15B, ground panel 44 includes opening 51. Feeding line 50extends into opening 51, and is spaced apart from ground panel 44 byspace 51, which is filled with a dielectric material. Low-k dielectricmodule 28 and patch antenna 64 may overlap at least some portions offeeding line 50 and space 51.

FIG. 16A illustrates patch antenna 64 in accordance with yet alternativeembodiments. These embodiments are similar to the embodiments in FIGS.13 and 14, except that feeding line 50 in accordance with theseembodiments is between ground panel 44 and low-k dielectric module 28.Low-k dielectric module 28 and patch antenna 64 may overlap at leastsome portions of feeding line 50. In these embodiments, feeding line 50may be formed using the step shown in FIG. 5, and ground panel 44 may beformed using the step shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 16B illustrates a top viewof patch antenna 64 as in FIG. 16A.

By using low-k dielectric modules 28 in antennas 64, the usablefrequency range of antennas 64 is increased without the need to increasethe distance between, for example, patches 60 and ground panels 44.Furthermore, the characteristics of antennas 64 may be adjusted byselecting an appropriate material for low-k dielectric module 28.

In accordance with embodiments, a device includes a patch antenna, whichincludes a feeding line, and a ground panel over the feeding line. Theground panel has an aperture therein. A low-k dielectric module is overand aligned to the aperture. A patch is over the low-k dielectricmodule.

In accordance with other embodiments, a package includes a device die, amolding material, with the device die molded therein, and a patchantenna. The patch antenna includes a patch and a ground panel. Thepatch and the ground panel are on opposite sides of the moldingmaterial. The patch antenna further includes a feeding line electricallycoupled to the device die.

In accordance with yet other embodiments, a method includes placing adevice die and a low-k dielectric module over a carrier, and molding thedevice die and the low-k dielectric module in a molding material. Aground panel of a patch antenna is formed overlying the moldingmaterial. A feeding line of the patch antenna is formed overlying theground panel, wherein the feeding line is electrically coupled to thedevice die. A patch of the patch antenna I formed underlying the low-kdielectric module.

Although the embodiments and their advantages have been described indetail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions andalterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit andscope of the embodiments as defined by the appended claims. Moreover,the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited tothe particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, andcomposition of matter, means, methods and steps described in thespecification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readilyappreciate from the disclosure, processes, machines, manufacture,compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing orlater to be developed, that perform substantially the same function orachieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodimentsdescribed herein may be utilized according to the disclosure.Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within theirscope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter,means, methods, or steps. In addition, each claim constitutes a separateembodiment, and the combination of various claims and embodiments arewithin the scope of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device comprising: a device die; anencapsulating material encapsulating the device die; and a patch antennacomprising: a patch; a low-k dielectric block having a dielectricconstant lower than a dielectric constant of the encapsulating material,wherein the low-k dielectric block is encapsulated in the encapsulatingmaterial; a ground panel, wherein the patch and the ground panel are onopposite sides of the encapsulating material; and a feeding lineelectrically coupling to the device die, wherein the feeding linephysically contacts the low-k dielectric block, and the feeding line hasan end overlapped by a middle portion of the low-k dielectric block,with the middle portion being between opposite side edges of the low-kdielectric block, and the feeding line and the ground panel arecoplanar.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein a first surface of theencapsulating material is coplanar with a first surface of the low-kdielectric block, and a second surface of the encapsulating material iscoplanar with a second surface of the low-k dielectric block.
 3. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the low-k dielectric block is single-layerblock.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein a back surface of the devicedie is coplanar with a surface of the encapsulating material.
 5. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the feeding line further contacts theencapsulating material.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the groundpanel has an aperture, and the device further comprises a dielectriclayer, with the ground panel in the dielectric layer.
 7. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the low-k dielectric block is formed of a homogenoustangible material.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the low-kdielectric block comprises a material selected from the group consistingessentially of expended polystyrene foam, polytetrafluoroethylene,polymethyl methacrylate, ebonite, and a porous material.
 9. A devicecomprising: a device die; an encapsulating material, with the device dieencapsulated therein; a patch antenna comprising: a patch on a firstside of the encapsulating material; a ground panel in contact with asecond side of the encapsulating material, wherein the ground panel hasa slot opening; and a feeding line aligned to a portion of theencapsulating material, wherein in a top view of the ground panel, thefeeding line overlaps a middle portion of the slot opening, and in thetop view, the feeding line is spaced apart from an entirety of theground panel by spaces in the slot opening, and the feeding line and theground panel are coplanar; and a low-k dielectric block between thepatch and the ground panel, wherein the low-k dielectric block isencircled by the encapsulating material, wherein the feeding linedirectly contacts the low-k dielectric block, and the feeding line has afirst end overlapped by a middle portion of the low-k dielectric block,and a second end connected to the device die, with the middle portionbeing between opposite side edges of the low-k dielectric block.
 10. Thedevice of claim 9, wherein the low-k dielectric block has a dielectricconstant lower than a dielectric constant of the encapsulating material.11. The device of claim 9, wherein the patch and the ground panel arefurther in contact with opposite surfaces of the low-k dielectric block.12. The device of claim 9, wherein the ground panel and the feeding lineare spaced apart from each other by a U-Shaped spacing.
 13. The deviceof claim 9, wherein the feeding line is in contact with theencapsulating material.
 14. The device of claim 9, wherein the groundpanel is in physical contact with the encapsulating material.
 15. Adevice comprising: a homogeneous dielectric block; a molding compoundencircling the homogeneous dielectric block, wherein the homogeneousdielectric block has a dielectric constant lower than a dielectricconstant of the molding compound; a metal patch over and contacting boththe molding compound and the homogeneous dielectric block; a metalground panel underlying and contacting both the molding compound and thehomogeneous dielectric block; a metal feeding line underlying andphysically contacting the homogeneous dielectric block, wherein themetal feeding line has an end overlapped by a middle portion of thehomogeneous dielectric block, with the middle portion being betweenopposite side edges of the homogeneous dielectric block, and the metalfeeding line and the metal ground panel are coplanar; and a dielectriclayer comprising: a first portion coplanar with the metal ground panel,wherein the first portion extends into the metal ground panel to contactthe homogeneous dielectric block; and a second portion underlying andcontacting the metal ground panel.
 16. The device of claim 15, whereinthe homogeneous dielectric block is formed of a low-k dielectricmaterial.
 17. The device of claim 15, wherein the metal patch covers anentirety of the homogeneous dielectric block.
 18. The device of claim15, wherein the homogeneous dielectric block, the metal patch, and themetal ground panel in combination form parts of an antenna.
 19. Thedevice of claim 15 further comprising: a device die encapsulated by themolding compound, the device die being electrically coupled the metalfeeding line.
 20. The device of claim 15, wherein the homogeneousdielectric block comprises a material selected from the group consistingessentially of expended polystyrene foam, polytetrafluoroethylene,polymethyl methacrylate, ebonite, and a porous material.